Means for catching and delivering mail bags or pouches.



No. 667,345. Patented Feb. 5, l90l.

G. W. SEBASTIAN. MEANS FOR OATGHING AND DELIVERING MAIL BAGS 0B POUCHES.

(Application filed June 9, 1900.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

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No. 667,345. v Patnied Feb. 5, 19m.

6. w. SEBASTIAN. MEANS FOR CATCHING AND DELIVERING MAIL BAGS 0B POUGHES.

(Application filed {lune 9, 1900.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES ATENT GEORGE W. SEBASTIAN, OF ASHLAND, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO H. O. BOUGHTON, OF SAME PLACE.

MEANS FOR CATCHING AND DELIVERING MAIL BAGS OR POUCHES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 667,345, dated February 5, 1901.

Application filed June 9,1900. Serial No. 19,719. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.- 7 represents steps by which to reach the Beit known that I, GEORGE W. SEBASTIAN, long arm of the crane. a citizen of the United States, residing at 8 is the upper and long arm of the crane; Ashland, in the county of Boyd and State of 9, a bolt by which the arm is pivoted to the Kentucky, have invented certain new and top of the post 6in any well-known way; 10,

useful Improvements in Means for Catching a pivoted support for the bag at its upper end; and Delivering Mail Bags or Pouches, of 11, a forked mail-bag receiver; 12, a rod or which the following is a specification. bar constituting arms of the receiver.

The main object of my invention is to im- 13 represents bearings by which the rod 12 IO prove by certain additions, constructions, is journaled to the posts 4 and 5, as indicated. and modifications the well-known mail-bag 14 represents springs interposed between catcher and crane so as to adapt them for dean enlarged central part of the rod 12 and livering mail-bags, as well as for performing the posts, the function of these springs being their present function of picking them up to take the blow which may be imparted when 15 while the train is in motion. a mail-bag is delivered to the receiver.

My invention consists in combining with 15 represents the curved and outwardlythe catcher means for supporting the bag to projecting arms of the forked receiver sebe delivered and with the crane means for cured to the rod. receiving the same. 16 is the lower arm of the crane; 17, a pin 20 It further consists in certain novelties of by which the lower arm is pivoted to the rod construction and combinations and arrange- 12 in a horizontal plane when the receiver is ments of parts hereinafter set forth, and in use; 18, a rigid arm secured to the rod of specified in the claims.- the receiver; 19,3. connecting-rod; 20, a pivot- The accompanying drawings illustrate an pin; 2l, an angular lever; 22, a pin by which 25 example of the physical embodiment of my the lever is pivoted to the post 6 in any coninvention constructed according to the best venient position. mode I have so far devised for the applica- 23 is a connecting-rod; 24, a pivot-pin; 25, tion of the principle. a pivot-pin; 26, another pivot-pin; 27, a mail- Figure l is a plan view showing a sect-ion bag supported bythe upper and lower arms 30 ofapostal car with the catcher in the position of the crane and in position to be picked up, it occupies when a mail-bag is about to be and 28 is a mail-bagsupported on the catcher picked up and another to be delivered and in position to be delivered. the crane and receiver also in their proper The mode of operation is as follows: The relative positions. Fig. 2 is a view of Fig. 1 two bags or pouches being in the positions in- 35 in side elevation, showing the car and catcher dicated by Figs. 1 and 2 and the postal car in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a front elevation moving in the direction of the arrow, the View of the crane and receiver as they appear curved arm or fork 15 of the receiver will enwhen seen from the track after a bag has gage the bag 28 and detachit from the casting been picked up and another delivered. on the catcher, the arm of the catcher imme- 40 Referring to the several figures of the drawdiately thereafter will engage the bag 27 and e, ings, the numeral 1 designates a section of pick it up, and, finally, the upperarm of the an ordinary postal car and one of the side crane being free to rotate or rock after the doors thereof; 2, a catcher of a well-known bag 27is removed will take the position shown type and in common use; 3, a casting having in dotted lines, Fig. 2, and by means of the 45 a support for a mail-bag secured to the arm lever mechanism uniting it with the receiver or fork of the catcher by a set-screw 3, as rotate the latter through an arc of approxi shown. mately ninety degrees to the position shown 4 and 5 are posts of the crane. in Fig 3, where the delivered bag 28 is held, 6 is a post located in the rear of posts 4 and as clearly indicated. 50 5 and at a suitable distance therefrom. From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have by certain additions and modifications in the construction of the crane and by the addition of a single element to the catcher provided means for the safe and effective delivery of a mail-bag from a postal car.

It is of course to be understood that in the practical application of my invention some parts or elements may be omitted and many modifications and changes be I claim is 1. The combination in a device for catching and delivering mail-bags, of a catcher provided with means for supporting a bagto be delivered; a crane; a receiver having-a journaled rod, 12, and lever mechanism uniting. the upperarm of the crane and'the rod, 12, whereby the rod is rotated in unison with the movement of the upper arm.

2. The combination in a device for catching anddelivering mail'bags, of a catcher provided with means for supporting a bag to be delivered; a crane; a receiver having curved arms 15 15, and a jonrnaled rod 12 with ends projecting beyond the posts 4 and 5; and lever mechanism pivoted to the rod 12, the post 6, and the arm 8; in substance as set forth.

3. The combination inadevice for catching and delivering-mail-bags, ofacatchenprovided with means for supporting a bag to be delivered; a journaled receiver having an arm 18; anangle-lever 21 pivoted to post 6; and rods uniting the angle-lever and arm 18 and the long arm of the crane.

4. I The combination in a device for catching and delivering mailbags, of a catcher provided with means for supporting a bag to be delivered; a journaled receiver carrying a lower arm 16; acrane; and lever mechanism uniting the upper arm 8 ofthe crane, the

introduced without constituting a substantial departure in principle.

Having thus described my invention, What post 6 and the receiver, for positively causing the upper arm 8 and the receiver to move simultaneously.

5. The combination in a device for catching and delivering mail-bags, of a catcher provided wit-h a casting having a support for a mail-bag, said casting being securedby a'setscrew; a crane having an arm 8; a journaled receiver 11, having a rod 12, curved arms 15, a-pivoted arm 16, and an arm 18; and lever mechanism uniting the arm 18, and the upper arm 8 of the crane.

6. The combination in a device for catching and delivering mail-bags, of a catcher provided with means for supporting a bag to be delivered; a crane having an upper arm 8; a

receiver 11, having an 'arnr12 journaled to posts sand 5; springs 14; a post 6; andlever mechanism uniting the arm 8, the post-6, and the receiver.

7. The combination ina device for catchin g and delivering mail-bags, of acatcher provided with means for supporting a bag to be delivered; a receiver 11, having an arm 18; an upper arm 8, an angular lever 21 pivoted to post 6; and rods 19, 23, pivoted to angular lever 21, thearm 18, and tothe arm 8; as

set forth.

8. In a devicefor catching and delivering mail-bags, the combination of a-catcher provided with means for supporting abag; a

post 6 supporting a pivoted arm 8; posts 4 and 5 located in 'front of the post 6, and hav- GEORGE W. SEBASTIAN.

Witnesses:

SoovELL E. 'BAGLEY, M. T. NEWMAN. 

